Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-09
THE FISHERIES DISPUTE.
Points OF the Official Correspondence.
MINISTER PHELPS SAYS THE UNITED STATES WILL
LOOK TO GREAT BRITAIN, NOT CANADA, FOB
REDRESS

begins with q letter to Minister West from Secre-
tary Bayard informing him that he had communi-
Gated with Mr.. Phelps, requesting him to make
representations to the British government con-
corning the seizures OF American fishing vessels by
the Canadian authorities. A letter from Lord
LandSdowne follows recOunting the action of the
prtvy council approving Of the action Of the col
lector with relation to the seizure of the Everett
Steel, on the ground that the vessel had commit
ted a technical violation of the customs laws.
Then there passed between the two governments
statements concerning the controversy, Secre-
tary Bayard sending the af1davits Of the captain
and crew OF one OF the vessels seized, etc. Lord
LandSdOwne, after eXcuS1ng and sustaining the
action OF Canada in making the seizures OF the
Everett Steel and Pearl Nelson, emphasizes the
statement that the British government does not
desire to curtail any OF the privileges enjoyed by
United States fishermen in Canadian waters, but
taken In respect to the Nelson and Steel
A letter TO Minister Phelps from the Earl OF Id
desleigh, dated November 80 last, submits the de-
sire OF the British government to leave the points
or technical detail and construction in the treaties
and fishery laws for the consideration OF COM
mission properly constructed to examine them.
On December l6 Lord Iddesleigh, in a cOmmuni-
cation to Minister Phelps, transmits the apology
OF the Canadian government for having hauled
down the flag OF the Marion Crimes AlludiRg 10
the seizure OF the Everett Steel, Lord Iddeseigh
says: "Her MaJesty's government greatly regret
that incidents alluded TO should occur, and Lney
can only renew the assurances conveyed TO you
In my note OF the Both ultimo that whilst firmly
resolved to uphold the undoubted treaty rights OF
her maJeSty'S North American subjects in regard
to the fisheries they will also equally maintain the
undoubted rights OF the United States fishermen
to obtain shelter In Canadian ports under such
restrictions as may be necessary to prevent their
abusing the privileges reserved to them by the
on January 2sth Minister Phelps wrote to Lord
Salisbury as follows: ''It seems now very import
ant that before the commencement OF another
reached between the United States government
and that Of her majesty relative to the course to
be pursued by the Canadian authorities toward
my note to Lord 1ddesleigh OF September III iith. h
1856, on the point whether such discussion should
be sustained In these cases until the result or the
made knOwn-a proposition to which, as stated
in my note, the United states government is un-
able to accede-his iordship ciLes in support OF it
some language OF MIR. Fish, when SecreAary OF
State OF the United States, addressed to the
United States consul general at Montreal in May,
1870. From the view OF Mr.. Fish, the United
States government has no disposition nor occasion
to dissent. But 1t cannot regard it as in any way
applicable to the present cases. 1t seems appar-
ent, therefore, that the cases in question as they
are to be considered between the TWO governments
present no points upon which the decisions OF the
courts OF Nova Scotia need to be awaited or would
be material II Is therefore to her majesty's gov
ernment alone that the United States government
can look fOr consideration and redress 1t cannot
consent to become, directly or indirectly, party
to the proceedings complained Of nor TO await
their termination befOr the questions involved be-
tween the Two governments nave been dealt with
ernment TO stand upon higher ground, and to be
determined In larger part, at least, upon very
different construction from those upon which the
courts OF Nova Scotia must proceed In the pending
litigation"
I'm Accord With the President.
THE HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND THE
FISHERY RESOLUTION.
The consular and diplomatic appropriation bill
will interfere with the work on the fishery reso-
luton so that it will probably not be got before
the House until next week. The subcommittee
hav1ng the motion in charge-Messrs. Belmont,
Clements and Rice-have had several cOnsulta-
tions, and Messrs Belmont and Clements have had
conferences with the President. There is no doubt
there Is perfect accord between the admtnistra-
tiOn and these two gentlemen on the subject. The
majority OF the committee WILL in all probabilities
agree with the majority Of the subcommittee who
favor the Manning, or Belmont, proposition for
complete nOn-intercourSe. Ar. Rice favOrs the
Senate resolution, and will probably prepare a
minority report. The subject Is expected to be
laid before the full committee at their meeting on
Tuesday, and will probably provoke q lively dis
cussion, the republicans favor1ng the senate reso-
luton.
While the President did not commit himself to
any legislation on the subject, the gentlemen
present gathered from his remarks that as be-
tween the two bills he favored the House bill for
the reason that 1t Is more explicit and mandatory
1t its character.